Significado
you must work hard to achieve success.
Contexto cultural
In Poland, there is a strong cultural emphasis on 'zasługiwanie' (deserving/earning). People often feel uncomfortable receiving something for nothing and will look for ways to reciprocate. Polish business negotiations can be tough because of the belief that 'nic nie przychodzi za darmo'. Every concession is expected to be met with a counter-concession. The Polish school system often uses this phrase to discourage students from looking for 'shortcuts' like cheating or using AI to write essays. In the Polish 'fit-sphere' (fitness community), this is a top hashtag (#nicnieprzychodzizadarmo) used to show that a perfect body is the result of sweat, not just genetics.
Use it to show grit
Using this phrase in a job interview shows you have a 'growth mindset' and aren't afraid of challenges.
Don't be too cynical
If you say this too often, you might sound like someone who doesn't believe in kindness. Balance it out!
Significado
you must work hard to achieve success.
Use it to show grit
Using this phrase in a job interview shows you have a 'growth mindset' and aren't afraid of challenges.
Don't be too cynical
If you say this too often, you might sound like someone who doesn't believe in kindness. Balance it out!
The 'Narzekanie' connection
Poles often use this phrase while complaining about how hard they work. It's a way of bonding over shared struggle.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.
Nic ___ przychodzi ___ darmo.
The correct form requires the double negative 'nie' and the preposition 'za'.
Which situation best fits the proverb 'Nic nie przychodzi za darmo'?
Situation: Marek wants to be a famous pianist but doesn't want to practice every day.
The proverb is used to emphasize that success (being a pianist) requires effort (practice).
Choose the sentence that uses the proverb correctly in a professional context.
How would you tell a colleague that a project will be expensive but worth it?
Option B correctly uses the proverb to justify investment for the sake of quality.
Complete the dialogue.
Ania: 'Jak udało ci się nauczyć polskiego w rok?' Tomek: 'Codziennie się uczyłem. ______.'
Tomek is explaining that his success was due to hard work, not luck or ease.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosNic ___ przychodzi ___ darmo.
The correct form requires the double negative 'nie' and the preposition 'za'.
Situation: Marek wants to be a famous pianist but doesn't want to practice every day.
The proverb is used to emphasize that success (being a pianist) requires effort (practice).
How would you tell a colleague that a project will be expensive but worth it?
Option B correctly uses the proverb to justify investment for the sake of quality.
Ania: 'Jak udało ci się nauczyć polskiego w rok?' Tomek: 'Codziennie się uczyłem. ______.'
Tomek is explaining that his success was due to hard work, not luck or ease.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it's not rude. It's considered a realistic and wise observation about life. However, don't say it to someone who just gave you a gift.
Yes, 'nic nie jest za darmo' (nothing is for free) is also very common and means almost the same thing, though 'przychodzi' emphasizes the process of achieving something.
Yes, it's a perfectly acceptable proverb to use in written Polish to support an argument about work ethic or economics.
There isn't a direct opposite proverb, but the concept of 'manat z nieba' (manna from heaven) refers to getting something without effort.
Not at all. It more often refers to time, health, skills, or emotional energy.
In Polish, double negatives are mandatory for negation. 'Nic nie' literally means 'nothing not', but it translates to 'nothing'.
Yes, parents use it all the time to teach children that they need to study or help at home to get rewards.
Yes, it's the closest equivalent in terms of the message that effort is required for results.
'Gratis' is used more in shops and advertising. 'Za darmo' is more general. You wouldn't say 'nic nie przychodzi gratis' in the proverb.
Break it down: pshy-HO-jee. The 'prz' is like 'psh' in 'upshot'.
Frases relacionadas
Bez pracy nie ma kołaczy
synonymWithout work, there are no rolls/cakes.
Darowanemu koniowi w zęby się nie zagląda
contrastDon't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Co tanie, to drogie
similarWhat is cheap is expensive.
Pieniądze nie leżą na ulicy
similarMoney doesn't lie on the street.
